Cantilevered x-ray CT system for multi-axis imaging

2. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 1, wherein the support stage further includes one or more ramp portions extending towards the top surface for facilitating patient movement up to and down from the top surface.

3. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging gantry defines a first shape, and the cavity defines a second shape corresponding to the first shape to house the imaging gantry in the cavity.

4. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 3, wherein the first shape and the second shape are each generally annular.

6. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 1, wherein the first drive mechanism is a non-backdrivable drive mechanism including a motor geared into a lead screw that extends along a length of the support column, an a carriage connected with the imaging gantry has a nut fixed thereto that engages with the lead screw such that a rotation of the lead screw drives a translation of the carriage and the imaging gantry vertically relative to the support column, the lead screw and the nut are free from backdriving under load.

7. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 6, wherein the support column comprises a plurality of rails extending parallel to one another over a surface of the support column and the imaging gantry is mounted to a carriage having bearing elements that engage with the plurality of rails to displace the imaging gantry vertically relative to the support column.

8. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 6, wherein the first drive mechanism comprises a motor geared into a threaded shaft that extends along the length of the support column, and the carriage has a nut fixed thereto that engages with the threaded shaft such that a rotation of the threaded shaft drives a translation of the carriage and the imaging gantry vertically relative to the support column.

9. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of drive mechanisms further includes a second drive mechanism that rotates the imaging gantry with respect to the support column between a first orientation where the imaging axis of the imaging gantry extends in a vertical direction parallel to the support column and a second orientation where the imaging axis of the imaging gantry extends in a horizontal direction parallel with the base.

10. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 9, wherein the second drive mechanism is mounted to the carriage.

11. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 10, wherein the second drive mechanism comprises a motor mechanically coupled to a first race of a rotary bearing such that the motor drives the rotation of the first race relative to a second race of the rotary bearing, and the first race is attached to the imaging gantry and the second race is attached to the carriage.

12. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 11, wherein the motor drives a drive wheel that engages with a drive belt that extends over a surface of the first race and drives the rotation of the first race relative to the second race.

13. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 12, wherein opposing ends of the drive belt are attached to the first race.

14. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 9, wherein the base comprises at least one rail extending along a length of the base, and the support column is mounted to a platform having at least one bearing element that engages with the at least one rail to displace the support column and the imaging gantry in a horizontal direction with respect to the base.

15. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of drive mechanisms further includes a third drive mechanism that translates the support column and the imaging gantry in a horizontal direction along the base.

16. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 15, wherein the third drive mechanism comprises a drive belt extending along the length of the base parallel to the at least one rail and a motor mounted to the platform that drives a drive wheel that engages with the drive belt to drive displacement of the support column and the imaging gantry.

17. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 16, wherein the base comprises at least one cover attached to the platform and/or the support column that extends from and retracts into a housing based on the translation of the support column relative to the base.

19. The multi-axis imaging system of claim 18, wherein the bearing assembly is attached to outer shell of the imaging gantry to accommodate a limited amount of bending or deflection of the outer shell between a first end of the imaging gantry that is attached to the support column and a second end of the imaging gantry opposite the first end while maintaining the relative rotation of the first and second races of the bearing assembly within a plane.